United Way Campaign Starts In Capital Area

Fund-raising Goal Shows No Increase

United Way Aims To Raise $23.5 Million

The United Way/Combined Health Appeal Community Campaign has set a $23.5 million goal for 1993 -- the same as last year's, campaign chairman Raymond A. Jansen said Thursday.

"This year, we once again struggled to set a fund-raising goal that is realistic, attainable and yet recognizes the mushrooming needs facing the health and human-service agencies that rely on this campaign," said Jansen, who is publisher and chief executive officer of The Courant. Jansen announced the goal Thursday as hundreds of United Way volunteers gathered at Hartford's Main Street Market at lunchtime. The volunteers were from 43 companies participating in the campaign's early fund-raising effort, called the "pacesetter" program.

Pacesetter companies run campaigns that end Sept. 28, a few weeks before the general campaign begins in the United Way's 40-town capital region.

The United Way/Combined Health Appeal set its 1992 goal at $23.5 million, an 11 percent reduction from the previous year's goal, because of the state's economy. The campaign slightly exceeded the reduced goal, raising $23.52 million.

As a result of the reduced goal, the 135 health and human-services agencies supported by the campaign received less money this year -- on average, a 15 percent reduction in funding.

Jansen noted those cuts Thursday, saying they had come at a time of increased needs in the area.

"We must stop the trend of funding reductions for these vital services," he said.

"We don't want to hear that agencies like Child and Family Services will be helping 600 fewer families this year," he said. "Or that agencies may begin charging for services to clients who are least able to pay for them. Or that there are no funds for AIDS counseling for some of our community's at-risk groups."

Jansen said, however, that he is confident volunteers will reach, and even exceed, the charity's goal this year.

Most United Way donations come from people in the workplace. Last year, for example, more than 68 percent of the money raised came from employees. More than 100,000 people donated to the campaign, spokeswoman Susan Dunn said.

Corporations contributed 28 percent of the donations, and foundations and other groups donated 4 percent, she said.

The campaign got started Thursday with a Whiffle Ball Home Run Derby contest led by George Foster, a former home run champion in major league baseball.

Acting as honorary bat boys and bat girls were children from the Hartford YMCA's Camp Downtown program, which receives scholarships for needy children to participate in the summer program